Ray Wilkins has told Sky Sports that he thinks Fulham striker Moussa Dembele has picked the perfect place to continue his career, after the talented young Frenchman signed for Scottish champions Celtic.

Dembele was reported by many, including the Guardian, to be close to joining Premier League side Spurs in January, only for a move to fall through late in the window. With his contract at Craven Cottage expiring this summer, it saw a whole host of top clubs joining the North Londoners in pursuing a teenager who netted 17 goals last season in the Championship, with Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Juventus and Galatasaray all mentioned by the Evening Standard as possible destinations.

But it is Celtic and new boss Brendan Rodgers who have managed to snap up Dembele on a free, and fans at Celtic Park have every reason to be excited at his capture.

Wilkins spent two years in Glasgow himself as part of a celebrated playing career, turning out for Celtic's rivals Rangers at the end of the 1980s.

Fulham's Moussa Dembele has a shot at goal

The former Chelsea and QPR favourite knows the 19-year-old forward better than most, having coached him at Fulham, and the 59-year-old said the new Bhoys star has made the right decision to spurn interest from the Premier League outfits like Spurs to sign for Celtic.

"I saw that he nearly went to Tottenham but I think he stayed at the best place - somewhere he'll play," Wilkins told Sky Sports. "It's all very well scoring goals at U21 level but the most important thing is to play and play against men."

Scottish Premiership defences may not be so grateful at the switch, and with Rodgers' experience of developing youngsters, Celtic may have a real star on their hands.

It isn't known whether Spurs pursued Dembele this summer, with attention perhaps shifted to more established strikers, but they may well yet rue letting the attacker slip through their fingers.

Che Thomas

Che is an Englishman abroad unable to cut the apron strings tying him to the crazy world of English football. As a writer and freelance journalist, he has covered matches and cultural events from across the globe all with the intention to inform, entertain and provoke debate. Just as smitten with music, film, and photography, though fully aware of the fact that nothing takes the place of that Saturday afternoon excitement down at N17 (even when it's actually on a Sunday!)